"I haven't met a player yet, including your Richie McCaw's and Brad Thorn's and those boys... that didn't really appreciate sitting down and going over the finer parts of their game and having some assistance rather than being talked to about the wider team.

"It's really important to me that those players continue to get those work-ons and that assistance."

Warburton had been the only player to take up a WRU central contract, but his new deal means the Union pays 60% of the deal and the region the remainder.

The 25-year-old played in the opening Pro12 game at Zebre and then the following week against Glasgow but was rested for the game against Ulster.

The 2013 British and Irish Lions captain returned for Blues' defeat by Leinster last Friday.

Newport Gwent Dragons head coach Kingsley Jones, a former Wales flanker and captain, has said Warburton is unlikely to play his full quota of games for them this season.

Warburton could play in four Wales Tests in November and be back in national colours for the 2015 Six Nations that will stretch from 6 February until 21 March.

Assuming the Blues will want the open-side to play all six pool games in Europe, that leaves just another seven games that he can play for his region.

Should the Blues qualify for the knockout stages in Europe that would again cut into the number of Pro12 games Warburton will be available to play.

Wales coach Gatland has still to reach a final decision on which other players will be offered dual contracts, with a figure of eight to 10 having been mooted.